RCCL to expand China capacity by 66%

[greatam]

For those wanting an Asia/Chinese cruise, just be aware that it MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU EXPECTED so pay attention to what you are booking. I posted this on the RCCL forum and the ones who primarily replied were from Australia and Europe. MUCH more world travelers than those from the USA or Canada and a totally different expectation.

 

Just KNOW that what you will be getting is NOT the typical RCCL cruise. Never been on an RCCL ship but have spent a lot of time all over Asia and the Middle East for business. From everything I have ever read about RCCL (no offense to anyone), I have never extrapolated that RCCL is a rather FORMAL type ship and is one with lots of "activities" which include belly flop contests, hairy chest contests and a lot of very American behavior. That most likely WILL NOT happen with a China cruise with PRIMARILY China passengers. I really wonder about the smoking situation because I have never been in a business meeting with Asian business men when 75% weren't having a cigarette at some point in time.

 

Just an FYI if you think you are getting on an "AMERICAN" cruise with AMERICAN amenities and rules. It will TRULY be different. The Chinese middle class now has the money to cruise and they are sick of STAR gambling cruises. They want more but they don't want AMERICAN.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2164287

Edited February 11, 2015 by greatam

[Philob]

Copied from various sources:

 

Quantum of the Seas will spend its inaugural 2014-2015 season sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, United States, before repositioning to China in May 2015. Beginning late June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and South-Korea.

 

Royal Caribbean will retrofit its already new ship with amenities designed for the Asian market, including more retail, a larger casino and more Asian food options (and signage).

 

 

SIL is bugging us to come over NOW for a two family cruise:o

Edited February 11, 2015 by Philob

[chengkp75]

And Star cruises is building two Breakaway class jumbos. Will be interesting to see how these giant ships convert to the Star cruises "rooms and casino" marketing, or whether they try to attract a traveling middle class in China that doesn't gamble on which side of the fence post the shadow will fall.

 

As noted above, the Quantum and any other RCI ship sent to China will need to call at a foreign port to get around China's cabotage laws. Carnival's entries will be allowed to do strictly coastwise trips as they will be built in China and flagged Chinese.

Edited February 11, 2015 by chengkp75

[Philob]

The new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (in Hong Kong) can handle ships of up to 220,000 gross registered tonnage. It can also process 3,000 passengers an hour.

 

The first new cruise berth is open; it can accommodate ships of up to 1,492 feet in length. A second berth will accommodate ships up to 1,295 feet.

 

Which means (someday) it can handle two Oasis size ships at one time, plus RCL is a 20% partner in the terminal.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Philob

[Philob]

...will need to call at a foreign port to get around China's cabotage laws....

 

Given the amount of tourism between China and S. Korea already in progress that foreign port call should not be a problem.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Philob

[chengkp75]

Given the amount of tourism between China and S. Korea already in progress that foreign port call should not be a problem.

 

Yeah, most of them probably want to get away from the home country for a few days.